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Secondary education

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Saturday school

32 replies

howdydude · 27/08/2024 22:07

Hi. I am considering a secondary school for my son which has a lot of boarders. My son would be a day student. However for personal reasons I do not want him to attend Saturday school. Do you think this is possible? Thanks.

OP posts:
Summertimer · 27/08/2024 22:59

I’d be surprised if it was optional and even more surprised if anyone calls it a 'secondary’ school. Senior, independent or occasionally grammar or high but never secondary

AGoingConcern · 27/08/2024 22:55

No, not unless it's purely a co-curricular Saturday program (which is uncommon at secondary level).

Schools with Saturday academic lessons have them in place of lessons on one or more afternoons during the week. They're not extra, they're part of the core timetable. If Saturday school is a deal-breaker for your family then that's not the school for your child.

tennissquare · 27/08/2024 22:53

@howdydude , no it won't be possible, your ds would be marked as absent if he didn't attend a school session on a Saturday. But it's worth counting up how many Saturdays he will need to be there, the school year may be 30 weeks and if you take away the half term and exeat Saturdays when there is no school the amount is less than you imagine.

wwyd2021medicine · 27/08/2024 22:23

Not in my experience
I was a day pupil at a boarding school and had 4 x40 minute lessons with a break on Saturday mornings.
Sport was almost obligatory on Saturday afternoons too so ended up being a full day
DD had full morning of lessons Saturday too (Boarding)

DelurkingAJ · 27/08/2024 22:17

I know of one local prep school where they tell you that Saturdays are optional.

Most schools that have boarders and Saturday school teach a full set of lessons on Saturday mornings…so, no, not usually possible.

chrisrobin · 27/08/2024 22:14

No, you won't be able to opt out of Saturday School

Muchtoomuchtodo · 27/08/2024 22:08

No. If the school includes Saturday school that is not optional